I extend special thanks to Professors Robin J. Enns and Douglas Knight, formerly at l´Université de Moncton and Professors Kathleen Berry and Pam Whitty at the University of New Brunswick. These professors, who had taught me, recognized my philosophy of education, my love of learning and my creativity and urged me to continue my studies in education. Each one inspired me pedagogically and has remained a great source of inspiration throughout my doctoral program.

I would be remiss not to thank the graduate students who I met during the course of my studies for their camaraderie and moral support and my work colleagues for their friendship, confidence in me and sometimes much needed diversion. Special recognition goes to those who provided invaluable assistance in conducting reliability checks, reviewing the categories in my content analysis, and serving as auditor and my peer debriefer. I owe Jane, Jocelyn, Nancy, Stephanie and Susan a debt of gratitude for listening so patiently and helping me to improve my thesis and clarify my arguments.

My family is also deserving of mention. I am appreciative of their help in enabling me to stand my ground and to persevere at those times when the gale force winds seemed to blow so hard that my life seemed to be a hurricane followed by a blizzard.

Finally, I thank my father, Norman Rubin, whose values and sacrifices paved the way for me for the challenge of higher education. Unfortunately, his untimely death was in the final month of my thesis writing and he was not able to celebrate the completion. My accomplishment is a tribute to him. His spirit shall live on in my heart forever. Hasta luego – 'til we meet again.